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27466

Journal, 1832–1834

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Editorial Note

Ten months passed before JS wrote another entry. In that period he dictated several revelations as he continued revising the Bible, completing his work in July 1833. Organizing and meeting with the School of the Prophets occupied much of his time from January through April. In June, JS and the presidency developed plans for temples in Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

and for expanded Mormon settlement in each city. In August, JS learned that during the previous month vigilantes had destroyed the church’s printing office and store in Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

and that the Missouri Latter-day Saints had signed an agreement to evacuate Jackson County by spring 1834. In September, JS helped organize efforts in Kirtland to resume the church’s printing operations. JS renewed his journal keeping in October 1833 as he prepared to proselytize in northeastern Pennsylvania, western New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

, and Upper Canada

British colony of Canada divided into Upper Canada and Lower Canada, 1791; reunited 1841. Upper Canada’s boundaries corresponded roughly to portion of present-day Ontario south of Hudson Bay watershed. Population in 1840 about 430,000. Immigrants mainly from...

. After he returned to Kirtland a month later, journal entries continued for several weeks.

4 October 1833 • Friday

October 4th <1833> makeing prep eration to go East with Freeman Nickerson

5 Feb. 1779–22 Jan. 1847. Seaman. Born at South Dennis, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. Son of Eleazer Nickerson and Thankful Chase. Moved to Cavendish, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1800. Married Huldah Chapman, 19 Jan. 1801, at Cavendish. Served as officer in Vermont...

New York Latter-day Saint Freeman Nickerson had traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, and persuaded JS and Sidney Rigdon to accompany him to Mount Pleasant, Upper Canada, to preach to members of his family. Frederick G. Williams explained that JS and Sidney Rigdon had “gone down the Lake to Niagara from thence expect to go into Canada as far as Long point U C and to preach in all the most noted places on the way.” (Gates, Lydia Knight’s History, 16–23; Berrett, Sacred Places, 2:249–250; Frederick G. Williams, Kirtland, OH, to “Dear Brethren,” Independence, MO, 10 Oct. 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, p. 57.)
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Gates, Susa Young [Homespun, pseud.]. Lydia Knight’s History. Noble Women’s Lives Series 1. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1883.

Berrett, LaMar C., ed. Sacred Places: A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites. 6 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999–2007.

JS Letterbook 1 / Smith, Joseph. “Letter Book A,” 1832–1835. Joseph Smith Collection. CHL.

TEXT: The first part of the entry for 4 October 1833 was initially inscribed in graphite and then retraced in ink—apparently by JS. The following material, written in heavier ink, was apparently inserted at a different time.

A request of Brother Da vid Elliott

18 Nov. 1799–2 Dec. 1855. Blacksmith. Born at Charleston, Montgomery Co., New York. Son of Peter Elliott and Phebe Holley. Married first Almira Holliday of Solon, Cortland Co., New York, ca. 1821. Married second Margery Quick. Lived at Ithaca, Tompkins Co...

to call on his Brother in Law Peter Worrin St; kathrine [St. Catharines]

Founded 1790. Incorporated as town, 1845. Population in 1826 about 600. Population in 1846 about 3,500.

up per Cannada

First settled, 1790s. Located on York-Kingston Stagecoach Road. Population in 1832 over 1,000. Incorporated as village, 1837.

Richard Lyman request of Uncle John [Smith]

16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational Church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...

Richard Lyman, the brother of John Smith’s wife, Clarissa Lyman Smith, was apparently residing in Cobourg, Hamilton Township, Upper Canada.

5 October 1833 • Saturday

5th this day started on a Journy

5 Oct. 1833

JS departed Kirtland, Ohio, on proselytizing mission to Mount Pleasant, Upper Canada.

to the East came to Ashtibuly [Ashtabula]

Located on southern shore of Lake Erie, about thirty-five miles northeast of Kirtland, Ohio. Settled by New Englanders, ca. 1801. Organized 1808. Ashtabula borough incorporated, 1828. Ashtabula village incorporated, 1831. Important transportation and economic...

<stayed> Lambs tavern

One of two taverns that existed in Ashtabula Township in 1833. Located either in Ashtabula borough or in Ashtabula East village. Likely located on main road through Ashtabula Township. JS and Freeman Nickerson stayed in tavern, 5 Oct. 1833, while traveling...

6–12 October 1833 • Sunday–Saturday

6th arrived at Springfield [Pennsylvania]

Settled 1796. Incorporated 1800. Population in 1830 about 1,500. Population in 1840 about 2,300. Latter-day Saint missionaries passed through area when traveling between Ohio and New York. JS traveled through Springfield on missions, 1833 and 1834. Branch...

<on the sabbath> found the Brotheren in mee ting Brother Sidney [Rigdon]

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

spake to the people &c—17

This meeting may have been held in the home of Andrews and Elizabeth Comins Tyler. (Tyler, “Recollections of the Prophet,” 93; see also Hales, Windows, 101.)
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Tyler, Daniel. “Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith.” Juvenile Instructor, 1 Feb. 1892, 93–95.

Hales, Kenneth Glyn, ed. Windows: A Mormon Family. Tucson, AZ: Skyline Printing, 1985.

and in the [p. 5]

By late November 1832, when this record began, JS had resided in Ohio

French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...

for nearly two years. Most members of the fledgling church in New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

had migrated to Ohio in spring 1831; many had subsequently moved on to Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

, Missouri, where they sought to establish a latter-day Zion. As headquarters for the church, Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

, Ohio, served as a base for proselytizing missions ranging as far afield as Upper Canada (now Ontario) and the eastern United States. Meanwhile, attempts to create historical records had failed to keep pace with the development of the church. JS had recently prepared a six-page personal history. Now he began keeping a personal journal, documenting his experiences as they occurred and thereby paving the way for writing a more extensive history. Journal writing was a new genre for JS, and in this record, he employed a personal tone quite different from the prophetic voice of his scriptural translations and revelations.

JS’s first journal begins 27 November 1832 and ends 5 December 1834, with entries spread unevenly over this period of just over two years. After titling this journal “Joseph Smith Jrs Book for Record,” JS recorded his ambitious intention “to keep a minute acount of all things that come under my obsevation &c.” However, reality failed to match his expectations. From the outset, the level of detail JS preserved in this record was limited. His pattern of journalizing varied widely. After recording only nine more entries, JS abandoned journal keeping for ten months. Yet his original aspiration to keep a journal occasionally yielded significant information. Sporadic notations followed, with three instances of sustained writing covering a consecutive week or more in the remainder of the journal. The events described in these passages are a proselytizing mission to Canada in October 1833, a fund-raising and recruitment mission to Pennsylvania and New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

in March 1834 to prepare for an expedition to help the Mormons in Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

, and activities in Ohio

French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...

in April 1834 just before the expedition departed. The journal’s most consistent daily entries cover the period from late February to late April 1834. The entire two-year record contains fewer than one hundred entries. It skips over many key developments but provides rare glimpses into the lives of JS and the other leaders of the church during these formative years.

Despite its brevity, this first journal contains more of JS’s handwriting than do any of his other journals. Almost half of the entries in the journal were written either entirely or primarily by JS himself; some of the remainder were apparently dictated. His openly expressed hopes and concerns, prayers and blessings, and observations on his own state of mind are a rich source of insight into spiritual and emotional dimensions of JS’s personality.

This journal illustrates how closely leadership in the early church was intertwined with record keeping. Trusted associates who served as scribes for JS for key projects in the earliest years soon found themselves called to join JS in church leadership, with continued scribal responsibilities. Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

, primary scribe for JS’s Book of Mormon translation, served as second elder beginning in April 1830 and wrote some of the entries for this first journal. Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

, scribe for JS’s “translation,” or revision, of the Bible beginning in December 1830, served as a counselor to JS beginning in March 1832 and also wrote entries in this journal. Frederick G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

, a scribe for JS beginning 20 July 18321

Frederick G. Williams, Statement, no date, Frederick G. Williams, Papers, CHL.
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Williams, Frederick G. Papers, 1834–1842. CHL.

and a counselor to JS by January 1833,2

Minute Book 1, 22 Jan. 1833.
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Minute Book 1 / “Conference A,” 1832–1837. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.

recorded JS’s concluding revisions to the Bible from July 1832 to July 1833 as well as some entries beginning in November 1833 in this journal. Some of the journal’s most revealing moments are JS’s candid evaluations of associates Cowdery, Rigdon, and Williams in connection with blessings he pronounced upon them in November and December 1833.

The journal’s first ten entries, covering 27 November to 6 December 1832 and all written in JS’s handwriting, describe a trip to visit family, a happy return, receipt of a new revelation, and translation work. JS’s state of mind is apparent in phrases such as “my mind is calm and serene,” “found all well to the Joy and satisfaction of my soul on my return,” and “Oh Lord deliver thy servent out of temtations.”3

Entries for 28 and 30 Nov. 1832; 4 Dec. 1832.
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Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL.

Yet the seemingly unhurried introspection of these first entries gives way to ten months of silence, a period during which JS became increasingly caught up in church leadership activities.

Revelation persistently nudged JS and his fellow believers toward building communities with a central focus on education and spiritual empowerment. In late December 1832, less than four weeks after this journal lapsed into silence, a new revelation called for a “solemn assembly” of the lay ministry, amplifying a promise in a revelation of January 1831 that in Ohio

French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...

the Latter-day Saints would be “endowed with power from on high.” In preparation for this experience, they were to receive training in spiritual and temporal affairs and a ritual “washing of feet” in a “house of God.”4

Revelation, 2 Jan. 1831, in Book of Commandments 40:28 [D&C 38:32]; Revelation, 27 and 28 Dec. 1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 7:19–23, 36–46, 1835 ed. [D&C 88:70–84, 117–141].
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A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ, Organized according to Law, on the 6th of April, 1830. Zion [Independence], MO: W. W. Phelps, 1833. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).

Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).

A “School of the Prophets” began in January 1833, and in April land was purchased on which to build a structure that would be called the House of the Lord

JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...

. A subsequent revelation called for the Saints to use this temple as the central reference point around which to develop a substantial community to be known as “the city of the stake of Zion.”5

Revelation, 2 Aug. 1833–B, in Doctrine and Covenants 83:1, 1835 ed. [D&C 94:1].
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Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).

As for Zion itself, on 25 June 1833 JS and his associates sent plans to church leaders in Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

, Missouri, envisioning the purchase of new lands and the expansion of Mormon settlement there, building outward from a cluster of centrally located temples.6

Plat of City of Zion, 1833, CHL.
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Plat of City of Zion, 1833. CHL.

But by the time the plans arrived in Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

, Zion’s future looked bleak. Negotiations in mid-July between Mormon settlers and their unwilling neighbors broke down, and violence erupted. With the 9 August 1833 arrival of Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

in Ohio

French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

, JS learned for the first time that twelve hundred Jackson County Saints would be forced from their homes by spring 1834. JS dispatched Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

21 Dec. 1784–25 June 1855. Pastor, farmer. Born in New Hampshire. Married first Oliva Swanson of Massachusetts. Resided at Portsmouth, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, 1808. Lived in Vermont. Moved to northern Pennsylvania, 1817. Served as minister in Freewill...

to Missouri to advise the Saints.7

John Whitmer, Independence, MO, to JS and Oliver Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 29 July 1833, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 52–55; Oliver Cowdery with JS postscript, Kirtland Mills, OH, to [William W. Phelps] et al., [Independence, MO], 10 Aug. 1833, CHL; Knight, Autobiography, 39.
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JS Letterbook 2 / Smith, Joseph. “Copies of Letters, &c. &c.,” 1839–1843. Joseph Smith Collection. CHL.

Cowdery, Oliver. Letter with Joseph Smith postscript, Kirtland Mills, OH, to [William W. Phelps, John Whitmer, Edward Partridge, Isaac Morley, John Corrill, and Sidney Gilbert], [Independence, MO], 10 Aug. 1833. CHL.

Knight, Newel. Autobiography and Journal, ca. 1846. CHL.

When journal keeping resumed on 4 October 1833, much had changed for JS and his followers. The impending eviction of the Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

Latter-day Saints and construction of the House of the Lord

JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

loom in the background of subsequent journal entries. In October 1833, JS and Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

responded to a request from Freeman Nickerson

5 Feb. 1779–22 Jan. 1847. Seaman. Born at South Dennis, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. Son of Eleazer Nickerson and Thankful Chase. Moved to Cavendish, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1800. Married Huldah Chapman, 19 Jan. 1801, at Cavendish. Served as officer in Vermont...

, a Mormon visiting from New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

, to join him in proselytizing family members in Canada. JS and Rigdon recorded in this journal their monthlong trip. Three weeks after their return, the journal first mentions explicitly the Saints’ Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

difficulties: JS learned on 25 November 1833 of the vigilante expulsion of the Mormons in Jackson County that month—earlier than the agreed-upon departure—following a series of violent confrontations. Many crossed the Missouri River

One of longest rivers in North America, in excess of 3,000 miles. From headwaters in Montana to confluence with Mississippi near Saint Louis, Missouri river drains 580,000 square miles (about one-sixth of continental U.S.). Explored by Lewis and Clark, 1804...

and found temporary refuge in nearby Clay County

Settled ca. 1800. Organized from Ray Co., 1822. Original size diminished when land was taken to create several surrounding counties. Liberty designated county seat, 1822. Population in 1830 about 5,000; in 1836 about 8,500; and in 1840 about 8,300. Refuge...

.

Most of the subsequent entries of this journal involve either direct or indirect responses to the Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

problems. By December 1833, the Latter-day Saints had set up a printing press in Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

to resume publication efforts that had been halted by the destruction of their print shop in Missouri. A February 1834 revelation instructed the Saints to undertake a paramilitary expedition intended to help the Mormon refugees from Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

return to their homes. JS and Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother to acquire land, 1823. Affiliated...

were one of four pairs of men directed to travel from Kirtland to various locations to solicit volunteers and donations in support of the effort.8

Revelation, 24 Feb. 1834, in Doctrine and Covenants 101, 1844 ed. [D&C 103].
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The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).

Journal entries cover the monthlong trip of JS and Pratt through northeastern Pennsylvania and western New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

. JS returned from this mission at the end of March, just in time for the opening of a term of the Geauga County

Located in northeastern Ohio, south of Lake Erie. Rivers in area include Grand, Chagrin, and Cuyahoga. Settled mostly by New Englanders, beginning 1798. Formed from Trumbull Co., 1 Mar. 1806. Chardon established as county seat, 1808. Population in 1830 about...

Court of Common Pleas. There he testified in a trial against Doctor Philastus Hurlbut

3 Feb. 1809–16 June 1883. Clergyman, farmer. Born at Chittenden Co., Vermont. “Doctor” was his given name. Preacher for Methodist Episcopal Church in Jamestown, Chautauque Co., New York. Baptized into LDS church, 1832/1833, at Jamestown. Ordained an elder...

, an excommunicant who had threatened his life. Following the trial, JS spent the rest of April preparing for the march to Missouri, which commenced in early May.

JS made no journal entries during the expedition to Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

. The episode is manifest in the journal as a half page of blank space, almost as if he intended to reserve the space for an entry later on. Although Missouri governor Daniel Dunklin

14 Jan. 1790–25 July 1844. Farmer, tavern owner, businessman, investor, lawyer, politician. Born near Greenville, Greenville District, South Carolina. Son of Joseph Dunklin Jr. and Sarah Margaret Sullivan. Moved to what became Caldwell Co., Kentucky, 1806...

acknowledged the legal right of the Mormons to their Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

property, he would not intervene. Based on statements by Dunklin’s attorney general, Robert Wells, the Mormons mistakenly assumed that Dunklin was willing to commit state militia to escort them back to Jackson County, and the expedition—known as the “Camp of Israel” and later as “Zion’s Camp” Comment: After this volume was published, the Smith Papers staff decided to use “Camp of Israel”, a contemporaneous term, instead of “Zion’s Camp” to refer to the expedition to Missouri. The change will be reflected in future volumes.—marched with that expectation. As the little army of Mormons neared Missouri, tensions mounted, and Dunklin sought a compromise. But negotiations between the Mormons and their former neighbors in Jackson County failed to resolve major issues that prevented the Mormons’ return to their Zion.

The volunteers thus halted near the border of Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

, short of their intended destination. A revelation dated 22 June 1834 counseled the Latter-day Saints to prepare themselves more thoroughly and declared that the redemption of Zion must await their empowerment in the House of the Lord

JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...

. The revelation also directed them to continue to purchase lands in the vicinity of Jackson County.9

Revelation, 22 June 1834, in Doctrine and Covenants 102:3, 8, 1844 ed. [D&C 105:9–13, 27–28].
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The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).

Members of the expedition distributed food and supplies to the refugee Mormons living in nearby Clay County

Settled ca. 1800. Organized from Ray Co., 1822. Original size diminished when land was taken to create several surrounding counties. Liberty designated county seat, 1822. Population in 1830 about 5,000; in 1836 about 8,500; and in 1840 about 8,300. Refuge...

, and JS strengthened local church leadership by appointing a presidency and a “high council” consisting of twelve men. Meanwhile, about sixty-eight of the volunteers, including JS, contracted cholera; thirteen died. After the cholera abated at the end of June, the surviving members were discharged and the expedition officially ended, having failed in its ostensible mission.10

Kimball, “History,” 21–24; Launius, Zion’s Camp, 110–155.
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Kimball, Heber C . “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL.

Launius, Roger D. Zion’s Camp: Expedition to Missouri, 1834. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1984.

In early August, JS returned to Kirtland amidst criticism about the expedition. There he faced two heavy financial challenges: to purchase new lands in Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

and to finish construction of the House of the Lord in Kirtland.

Facts

Editorial Title: Journal, 1832–1834
ID #: 6662